Olympic officials: No discussions about US not participating in 2018 Olympics

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley previously suggested that American participation was an 'open question.'

Author:
Rachel Axon, USA TODAY Sports , TEGNA

Published:
10:13 AM EST December 7, 2017

Updated:
10:13 AM EST December 7, 2017

While U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley raised questions about the USA’s participation in the upcoming Olympics in South Korea, Olympic officials sought to curb concerns about security.

“We have not had any discussions, either internally or with our government partners, about the possibility of not taking teams to the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. We plan on supporting two full delegations in PyeongChang,” U.S. Olympic Committee spokesperson Mark Jones said in a statement.

Speaking on Fox News, Haley said Wednesday night it's an "open question" if U.S. Olympic athletes will be in South Korea and competing come February.

"I think those are conversations we are going to have to have, but what have we always said? We don't ever fear anything, we live our lives," Haley said in the interview. "And certainly that is a perfect opportunity for all of them to go and do something they have worked so hard for.

"What we will do is make sure that we are taking every precaution possible, to make sure that they are safe."

For months the U.S. Olympic Committee has consistently said that it is continuing preparations to compete in Pyeongchang and has been in contact with the State Department, law enforcement and met with the four-star general in charge of U.S forces in South Korea in August.

The IOC said Wednesday before Haley’s comments that the security situation remains unchanged despite continued missile tests by North Korea and sustained rhetoric between its leader, Kim Jong Un, and President Donald Trump.

“There is full support from the United Nations, very positive message coming out of the assembly,” said Christophe Dubi, the executive director of the Olympic Games. “A number of heads of states have expressed themselves in this respect. We are really confident in this, so this message can be relayed to the athletes by the (National Olympic Committees).”